The Biggs Family

Welcome to the Biggs family from Mountain View, California! Brandon is 19 years old with LCA-CRB1 and Joshua is 15. Josh is a potential carrier of LCA-CRB1; however, he has no visual difficulties related to the gene mutation. Josh is an artist studying graphic art and illustration with hopes of becoming a concept artist for a gaming company in the future. He also enjoys science and math and has a brilliant mind. Brandon is a performer. He loves acting, singing, dancing and has performed in over 15 musical theater productions and two opera productions. He is currently working on a CD of musical works. He is also a songwriter and has been putting together clips of his songs on his www.myspacemusic/brandonkeithbiggs.com . He also has his own website at www.brandonkeithbiggs.com . Brandon has not let his lack of sight keep him from following his dreams.

We have been following the clinical trials for the RPE65 gene and have been excited about the success in restoring sight that has come from those trials. As we thought about it; we said, “Why not CRB1? Let’s start a foundation for research into the CRB1 gene!” I asked another mom, Jennifer Pletcher, who was doing this for her daughter’s gene mutation and she put me in touch with Kristin. I asked Kristin if she would partner with me and she said, “Yes!” The more we got into our dream, the more families we have connected with and Kristin has been able to really get things moving because she lives in Pennsylvania where the doctors and the DeAngelo Foundation is. Connecting with her has been a Godsend for us! We have been waiting and desiring this opportunity for 19 years and it will now become a reality with your help in funding research on the CRB1 gene!

What will this do for our family? Brandon will be able to have his sight restored! He will be able to see the dance moves, read print music, read the cold read scripts, and see the beautiful face of his gorgeous girlfriend! He will also be able to see our faces…the face of his mother, father, and brother for the first time. We are proud of Brandon’s accomplishments as a blind performer and his top academic grades in college. He has done so much with his life already. Both of my boys make us proud parents and Brandon always reminds us to “Dream the impossible dream…and then live it!”